This weekend – Intrust Super Cup clubs and local league competitions will honour the memory of James Ackerman with a minutes silence before the game. Rugby league fans are being asked to give generously to the Ackerman Family Trust Fund – you can find donation details here: James Ackerman
The official hashtag to use is #TakeAKneeForAckers – teams are encouraged to form a tight circle, place one knee on the ground and link arms with teammates.
Download the Round 10 team lists here
Valleys Diehards v Logan Brothers
Saturday, June 27 3pm at Emerson Park
Valleys kick start the second half season when they host Logan Brothers at Emerson Park. Once again, the Diehards showed scoring points is no problem, crossing for five tries in their Round 9 loss to Carina. However, Valleys coach Pat O‘Doherty would be the first to admit his side can concede too easily close to the line.
Logan Brothers will be determined to bounce back after a 10-point loss to West Brisbane last Saturday. Coach Jason Gainey announced the signature of former Cup player and Logan junior Wade Liddell for the rest of the season, but it remains to be seen just how he’ll slot into the side. The Round 1 match-up between these two sides was a high-scoring affair, with Logan Brothers finishing on top 40-32.
West Brisbane Panthers v Ipswich Jets
Saturday, June 27 4.30pm at Frank Lind Oval
West Brisbane sprung an upset last weekend, knocking off Logan Brothers at Kev McKell Oval for just their second win of the season. But two from nine doesn’t do their season justice. Aside from a heavy loss to Ipswich in the first round, the Panthers have been competitive in every match with their biggest losing margin just eight points. In their past four games a converted try or less has separated them from their opposition at fulltime.
They may be without backrower Kristian Wanka, who has been named on the bench for the Norths Devils. Meanwhile, the Jets held off a fast-finishing Easts outfit in Round 9 and look set to be bolstered by the return of nippy dummy half Peter Whittaker. Haydan Lipp and Chris Ash form arguably the most astute halves combination in the BRL, aided by the increasing influence of Jordan Tighe at fullback.
Normanby Hounds v Wynnum Manly Redland City
Sunday, June 28 11.25am at Davies Park
All three Sunday BRL fixtures are precursors to Intrust Super Cup matches, with Normanby and Wynnum Manly Redland City setting the stage for Souths Logan and Tweed Heads at Davies Park. The Hounds were right in the game against Gaters last week, until a late try stretched the margin to 30-18 at fulltime. Hounds’ hooker Jack Walters is one to watch – he seems an even-money bet to score from dummy half each game.
Wynnum Manly Redland City are coming off an 18-point win over Redcliffe and continue to press their claims as one of the more dangerous attacking units. After starting the season in the backline, Hayden Crowley has transitioned into the backrow. Normanby must draw level in the middle of the park if they are to contain the Seagulls’ explosive backline.
Redcliffe Dolphins v Carina
Sunday, June 28 12.15pm at Dolphin Oval
Carina have earned three wins and a draw from their past four starts and will be out to continue in the same manner. Peter Edwards’ mixture of veterans and rookies is beginning to gel, while the return of Jon Stewart at five-eighth has given the side another dimension. The former Easts Colts playmaker used a great turn of pace to touch down for a solo try against Valleys.
The Dolphins have been consistently inconsistent in the past four weeks. They held an early lead against the Seagulls last round but ended up conceding 40 points. Regardless, they boast plenty of backline speed, headlined by former St George Illawarra Under 20s start Evander Cummins. Just one point separates these two teams on the ladder. A win to Carina will see them leapfrog Redcliffe into sixth place.
Easts Tigers v Gaters
Sunday, June 28 12.15pm at Tapout Energy Stadium
The Tigers nearly got over the line against Ipswich in Round 9 – they’ll be looking for a similar effort in front of their home crowd. Young halves pairing Jayden Carroll and Mackenzie Reid played a largely composed match, while Brandon George finished with a hat-trick. The battle of the packs will go a long way to deciding this one, with Gaters forwards Adam Marr and Stephen Tunnicliffe returning to Langlands Park to take on their old club.
Gaters are riding the wave of a three-game winning streak, coupled with the stunning form of winger Marlon Doak. The speedster has scored nine tries in those three matches and leads the competition with 15 to his name for the season. Given a roving commission by coach Scott Rodgers, Doak can pop up in any position on the field and has shown a remarkable knack for stealing an intercept.
